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CHAPTER- 5

CONCLUSION

Science fiction is a form of fiction which deals principally with the effect of actual

or possible science upon society or individuals. In this world of rapidly changing

technology, ethical questions raised by developments in biology and medicine and

by increasingly sophisticated mass communication, serious science fiction may be

better equipped than any other kind of literature to contemplate the predicament

such changes present. (Bennett n. pag.)

Science fiction functions as telescope which projects the far future things very closer

and also as microscope which aids people to see the things placed where the normal

vision could not reach. The future in science fiction is often exposed as a dystopian

panorama. The focal point of the dystopian science fiction is technological

exploitation. The fascination of dystopian mode came to an end in 1942, the publication

year of Asimov‘s ―Runaround‖. Asimov with his optimistic vision has shaped new

science fiction which the world had never seen before his writings. His stories have

amusing narratives, punctiliously rational notions and social themes. Asimov‘s writings

have focused on future worlds, the nature of humanity, the powers of politics, and

machine ethics. He has furnished a new dimension of rational and intellectual perception

to the science fiction genre. ―Armed with a uniquely creative imagination, plus a gift for

explaining difficult ideas, he began to carve out a remarkable dual role: that of science-

fiction writer and futurist and of public educator and interpreter of science‖ (Symonds

n. pag.).

Asimov‘s science fiction is commonly branded as hard science fiction while his stories

are typically based on actual scientific facts. He has rightly anticipated inevitable

evolutions in the fields computer science and aeronautical in future. ―One change

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involves the computerization of our society, and the other change involves the extension

of our capabilities through aeronautical and space research" (Symonds n. pag.). Asimov‘s

strong belief is that people of the future world would establish colonies in Moon, Mars

and Space. In his stories Asimov has focused on miscellaneous fields like computer,

robotics, medicine, space, education and politics. Asimov‘s science short stories

predominantly explore the potential benefit of robots. He has formulated solely human

assistant mechanical man and he is the pioneer in initializing a particular stereotype

characters for robots.

The second chapter entitled ―Laws of Robotics‖ analyses the cause for the formulation

of the three Laws of Robotics. Asimov, the legendary writer had never been in touch with

the technology of today‘s modern computer. Yet he created a hardware positronic brain

and implemented laws of robotics software in it. Asimov intended to create Laws of

Robotics to ensure that robots would serve as useful tools for humanity.

Asimov created robots that were programmed with the three laws. Their behavioural

patterns were administered and governed with these laws. The purpose for creating robots

in this manner was to make them be absolutely obedient subordinates, willing helpmates

and tireless companions. Robots with such qualities and bearing the human names

naturally began to grip the attention of the people. The Three Laws of Robotics are:

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being

to come to harm.

2. A robot must obey any orders given to it by human beings, except where such

orders would conflict with the First Law.

3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not

conflict with the First or Second Law. (Asimov, Robot Visions 8)

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Asimov‘s stories portrayed how his robots followed the ethical laws, where they actually struggled to abide by them and also exposed the result of the alternations in the

laws. The First Law insisted on and established the real association between human and

machine. Robots Robbie, Speedy, Cutie, Byerley, R. Idda, Rambo, Rodney, Al-76 and

Mike followed the laws perfectly. Strict adherence to the first law enabled these robots

never to harm the human. Human safety was the primary issue and the First Law

acknowledged that the robots were only the best human companion. These robots

transformed the entire world view formulated based on the performances of the early

robots and this law brought an end to the Frankenstein complex. Through the portrayal of

the robots Elvex, Herbie, Tony and Emma Three, Asimov proved that if the First Law

was not adhered properly then it would jeopardize the humanity. He demonstrated

simultaneously the profitability in the following of the First Law and the menace of the

non-adherence to the Law in his stories. Asimov believed that the technology could be

perfectly activated and controlled by human intelligence and for this he advocated to

utilize some machine ethics like The First Law.

The Second Law directed a robot to be a perfect obedient follower. The robots which

followed the second law properly not only astonished the readers but also triggered the

notions of the scientists. Man needs servants for his assistance. The servant should be

obedient with an instant readiness to carry out the master‘s order. These sorts of perfect, punctual, obedient, sincere and tireless performances are performed only by the robots.

The second law instructed the robots to perform according to the above mentioned

manners. The principal rationale of this law is to assign the robot virtuously the role of an

assistant to human being.

The third law measured the significance and the worth of the robots. The Third Law

taught the robots that the human life was more important than the existence of the robots.

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The self -sacrifice of the robot Mike proved that the robots if were properly manufactured

with the laws served the man and also willingly sacrificed itself for him. This illustrated

that the Third Law was created absolutely to ensure human safety. Asimov pointed out

the result of the non adherence to the law in ―Little Lost Robot‖. In this Nester-10 robot

did not follow the First Law and the Third Law so it attacked Susan Calvin. Asimov‘s

Third Law had greater significance because it instructed the robots to deactivate itself

when it realized that its existence would be endangering to the man.

Forty three years after the introduction of the Three Laws of Robotics, Asimov

introduced another law, Zeroth Law in his fiction. ―A robot may not harm humanity, or, by

inaction, allow humanity to come to harm". This law was akin to the First Law and the

distinction between the laws is that while the First Law focused on individual person‘s

safety, the Zeroth Law focused on the security of the entire humanity. Asimov realized

that the three laws were not enough for the welfare of the humanity. After considering the

manipulation of the technology, Asimov wanted to create some consciousness among the

robots that the single man‘s life was not important when compared to the security of the

whole community. In the story ―Sally‖ the robots acted according to the Zeroth Law and

saved the humanity. Through these laws Asimov molded his optimistic thought. His Laws

were directly adopted and altered by other science fiction writers. New Laws of Robotics

were also introduced by his successors.

The robots were merely machines only and the engineers would manufacture them with

safety measures to preclude them from rebelling against humanity similar to handles in the

knives and automatic brakes in the trains. In 2007, South Korea framed National Robot

Guidelines for their advanced robots guard and the concepts in the law echoed Asimov's

laws. NASA adopted ideas from Asimov‘s Laws of Robotics and it framed new laws for

its mission agents. Asimov not only created a new label for robots with his laws

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of robotics but also invented multifarious robots and as well predicted their

pragmatism. This visionary notion is analyzed in the next chapter ―Prophetic Visions‖

―Prophetic Visions‖ is the title of the third chapter which brings to light Asimov‘s

analytic skill and foreseeing ability. The various concepts conceived in the mind‘s eye of

the writer have attained genesis in actuality. The real possibilities of the inventions of

Isaac Asimov followed in this chapter Prophetic Visions. His notions and concepts have

stimulated the exploring minds of scientists, whose commitment to the cause has

ultimately yielded fruitful success. This further has initiated greater growth in the life

style of people. Asimov captured the real performance of the science in his robot stories.

The first industrial robot, Unimate was invented by the inspiration of Asimov‘s robot

series. ―His work was behind the creation of the very first robotics companies. When

Joseph Engelberg net George Devol in 1856 it was to talk about Asimov, and their

passionate discussion about the master‘s writings was to lead ultimately to the first robot

manufacturing enterprise, Unimation‖ (Ichbiah 50).

Asimov predicted that the positronic brain triggered the functions of the robots. Today

the artificial brain is invented for the robots like NAO and they act according to the signal

given by the artificial brain. In ―Robbie‖ Asimov introduced Nanny robot, now the

Shenyang Siasun Robot and Automation Co. Ltd., invented Nanny Robots which can

speak and send text messages or email to its master. Asimov depicted about the

possibility of robots‘ interaction with the human as well as with other robots in his stories.

The latest robot, NAO has speech recognition, Wi-Fi – communications, sensor facilities,

camera, which acts as eyes, and it can interact with human beings and other robots, and it

has minimal artificial intelligence. Asimov initiated multiple team robots in the story

―Catch the Rabbit. In future multi-team robots would be utilized in numerous fields.

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Asimov originated storytelling computer in ―Someday‖. Today‘s computer recites lot

of uploaded stories. Storytelling robots are also invented in the present day. PETS

(Personal Electronic Teller of Stories) are introduced to narrate stories for the children in

rehabilitation. He introduced story listening robot in ―Robbie‖ and story writing robot in

―Cal‖. In future the scientists might introduce these sorts of robots. Asimov anticipated

robot guards in the short story ―Light Verse‖. In reality, South Korea has kept robot police, robot guards and robot prison guards. Domestic house hold robots were introduced

in the stories ―Christmas without Rodney‖, ―Light Verse‖ and ―Satisfaction Guaranteed‖.

Robot Vacuums, Wakamaru a dish washer robot and Honda‘s ASIMO are the best

domestic robots available now. Asimov also foresaw the contribution of robots in the

medical technology in the short story ―Segregationist‖. He introduced Robot surgeon and

the present world has experienced numerous robotic surgery. Nano robot was initiated by

Asimov in the short story ―Too Bad‖ in the year 1989. The present researchers have been

aspiring strenuously to invent nano-robots.

Asimov predicted accurately some scientific facts about Space, Moon, Mars and

Universe. He wrote copious space exploration stories such as ―Reason‖, ―Runaround‖,

―Catch that Rabbit‖, and ―First law‖ in which his robots were working in the outer surface

of the Earth. Today, the robots Robonaut 2 are working in the space station and The

Curiosity Rover, a robotic rover is exploring the Mars successfully. Asimov‘s vision

about space robots absolutely has come true. He also envisaged lunar mining in many

stories such as ―Runaround‖ and ―Robot AL- 76 Goes Astray‖ and ―Robot Dreams‖.

NASA is trying to invent Lunabotics for the lunar mining process. Asimov‘s this

anticipation will also come true in the near future.

Asimov introduced robots in various shapes other than that of human. The robot dog

appeared in ―A Boy‘s Best Friend‖ in 1975 and the real robot pet dog AIBO was invented

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by the Sony Company in 1999. Robot car was introduced in ―Sally‖ in 1953 and Toyota Prius introduced robotic self driving car in 2012. In 1974 Asimov introduced robot bird in

―That Thou Art Mindful of Him‖. In the real world, Festo the automation company

invented Robot Bird Festo in 2011. Robot dog, robot car and robot bird all these

Asimov‘s imaginary inventions become real inventions.

In ―Think‖ Asimov introduced LEG, the advanced process of EEG. This technology

could perfectly analyze each cell in the brain. Asimov‘s LEG had the telepathic power

and allowed man to communicate with the computer without verbal communication. In

―Liar‖ also Asimov dealt with the telepathic technology. Asimov‘s vision of telepathy in 1977 came true in 2008. The brain-computer interaction would be possible through non

invasive brain imaging technology like electroencephalography. In the short story

―Satisfaction Guaranteed‖ Susan Calvin elucidated that artificial intelligence and human

language are acquired through some preprogrammed technology. Now the application

NLP (Natural language Processing) allows robots to acquire the human language

perfectly. In the story ―The Fun They Had‖, Isaac Asimov envisaged e –book, online

teaching, and online test. All these ultra modern technology is a common phenomenon

today. Asimov anticipated that the computer technology would transform the entire

phenomena in the education field. Video Conference Inquiry was introduced by Asimov

in the story ―Mirror Image‖. Today many courts utilize this technology in the highly

atypical case.

In this chapter twenty one short stories were analyzed to scrutinize Asimov‘s prophetic

visions. From the available existing facts, the heartwarming finding is that twenty three of

his unique visions have been successfully experimented with and are accomplished as

real. The following interview was conducted by Phil Konstantin with Isaac Asimov for a

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radio talk in 1979. It was published in the magazine "Southwest Airlines Magazine." This

interview proved that Asimov is a perfect future historian.

SWA Magazine: Due to your number of stories about robots, I wonder if you feel

that we will have full-functioning robots by the year 2000?

Asimov: They are advancing steadily in all sorts of robotic directions, and I think

that assuming that there is no thermonuclear war or that civilization does not meet a

serious crisis that it cannot recover from, I think that by the end of the century we

will have, at least, simple robots. That is, objects that are roughly man-shaped that

can do certain jobs. (Asimov, Interview n. pag.)

Literature cannot be treated as the product of pure imagination meant primarily for

entertaining and engaging the readers. It has to be treated as an invaluable treasure

because literature exhibits the qualities of people of the past, present and the future.

Science fiction of Asimov is of great significance not only for the readers of literature but

also to the analytical scientists. These fictions contained fertile seeds for scientific

exploration enabling the scientists to get valuable hints which would be of great use for

the betterment of humanity. The impact of technology is the principal issue of his short

stories and novels. Asimov‘s stories depicted the tribulations of the future society by juxtaposing the negative issues along with the positive things. His visionary warnings are

highlighted in the next chapter.

The fourth chapter ―Visionary Warning‖ has focused on the warning exemplified by Asimov. His science stories are the paradigm of social science fiction. Asimov stated,

―The social science fiction is the term given to literature which is concerned with the

impact of scientific advance upon human beings‖ (qtd. in Malmgren 263). ―Visionary

Warning‖ displays the humanist in Asimov. Despite being an eager scientist, Asimov is

bent on disclosing the probable features of science. Unlike Wordsworth, who projected

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only the glorious side of nature in his poetic works, Asimov depicted both the

constructive and destructive sides of science. This most considerate humanist focused his

lingual microscope on the bitter consequences overindulgence of man with machine

would lead to. When humanity depends on machines for everything it would result in

depriving man of his skills, power and even in the eviction of the entire human race.

In the story ―The Feeling of Power‖, Asimov exposed the deterioration in the mental

ability of the future people. They would fail to calculate the simple arithmetic due to their

sole dependence on pocket computer for their calculation. In ―Reason‖ he revealed the

human-machine controversies when the robots are endowed with the absolute rational

thinking ability. In ―Kid Brother‖ he analyzed the issues of over-population and

technology addiction. ―Catch That Rabbit‖ depicted that the technical faults were only

due to human errors and not because of the machines. Through ―True Love‖ and ―Cal‖

Asimov created awareness among the people to think over the upshot if the machines

could function independently. ―Risk‖ proved that, if man failed to give order according to

the power of the Robots then it would endanger that particular function. ―The Fun They

Had‖ had actually displayed the short comings in the future education system. The printed

version of books and human teaching would vanish as that system would be substituted

by the computerized society. The lack of social relationship and class room interaction

and their bitter aftermaths were warned by Asimov. Today the habit of searching and

reading books in the library has started steadily declining.

If robots get human cognition absolutely then it would fight for its own right

analogous to man fighting for his rights. This struggle was depicted in ―The Bicentennial

Man‖. The theory of trans-humanism is scrutinized in this story. In ―. . .That Thou Art

Mindful of Him‖ two robots interpreted the Laws and defined who is human. Colonial

theory was analyzed in the story. Through ―Galley Slave‖ Marxist‘s concern was

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projected that if people substituted machines for their work then in future they would face

not only unemployment problem but there would be great existential crisis for man as

they would have been mostly replaced by flawless able robots.

During the World War II Asimov worked as a civilian at the Philadelphia Navy Yard's

Naval Air Experimental Station. Asimov worked as a chemist in the military. The Navy

environment helped him to learn how the governments utilized science for the war

purpose. So Asimov warned about the possibilities of the cyber war and cyber attack in

the stories ―Let‘s Get Together‖ and ―Machine That Won the War‖. If the technology,

like disintegrator ray portrayed in the storey ―Robot AL- 76 Goes Astray‖ is successfully

invented then the entire world would be blast losing the total identity of its existence

even.

The willful employment of highly sharp and intelligent machines in personal, political

and war fare affairs prove to be detrimental. Asimov‘s concepts regarding trans-

humanism, disintegrator ray and artificial intelligence and the probable repercussions

hinted by the writer are both enthralling and shell-shocking. All these warnings of

Asimov have social relevance.

Asimov through his science fiction created a rational knot between science and life.

His rational solution is that of strict adherence to the machine ethics namely the laws of

robotics. The laws of robotics have eradicated the technophobia and also inspired the

technicians to adopt such laws. The findings in the chapter ―Laws of Robotics‖ are how

Asimov‘s rational execution of the laws exemplified the new dimension of science as

well as helped to revise society‘s approach towards the science. The third chapter

―Prophetic Visions‖ has listed out the numerous visions Asimov‘s rational thinking ability has conceived and revealed. His rational vision has anticipated advancements in

the fields of nanotechnology, computer science, artificial intelligence, space exploration,

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education system and political affairs, and further revealed how the digital revolution

would take place in these fields. The fourth chapter has explored the inevitable negative

impact of scientific technologies on society. Asimov‘s ultimate warning is that if people

over depend on technology then it would devastate his uniqueness. Men should be

conscious to protect his self-reliance. Machines, though are created by human beings,

have the power to make and mar their own creator. ‗Too much of anything is dangerous‘.

This is the alarm tone that Asimov‘s rational scrutiny and evaluation loudly trumpet.

Asimov, a creative genius par excellence, has framed the laws of robotics which offer

valuable guideline to create harmony between man and machine. His prophetic visions

have undoubtedly sown the potent seeds in the fertile ground of science stimulating the

scientists to explore into innumerable fields. His visionary warnings are certainly

protective guards that would not allow the created object to checkmate his creator.

On the whole the finding of the thesis proves that Asimov is an eye opener of the

society. Through the mode of science fiction, he has struck upon the highly philosophical

note that is people should firmly adhere to the laws of humanics, which insist:

1. A human may not injure another human being or through inaction allow

another human being to come to harm. (Asimov, Robot Visions 460)

2. A human must obey the orders given him by his moral conscience, except

where such orders would conflict with the First Law. (Asimov, Robot Visions 461)

3. A human must protect his own existence, as long as such protection does not

conflict with the First or Second Laws. (Asimov, Robot Visions 462)

These rational revelations prove that technology is never fundamentally excellent or

terrible but it depends purely on the way of usage of technology. It is a well known fact

that technological advancements are basically aimed at the welfare of humanity. But the

human mind with its notorious complex nature can convert a boon into bane. Hence

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Asimov has obviously forewarned the society to treat the boon namely the science, as it is

and not to turn it a bane. As per the words of Wordsworth:

The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;

Little we see in Nature that is ours;

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! (Kumar 240)

Analogous to the following instructive words of Thiruvalluvar, ―Who warm them at

the fire draw not too near, nor keep too much aloof/Thus let them act who dwell beneath

of warlike kings the palace-roof‖ (Narayanasamy 202), Asimov also directed the people

to alertly maintain the accurate distance between man and machine. People should not be

oblivious to the gruesome and glorious effect of science and they should be prudent in

their dependence on it. Isaac Asimov has graphically explained the state of the universe-

where it had been, where it is now and where it might be in the future. Science and its

invaluable contributions in elevating the life of the noblest creation of nature are

inexplicable. Asimov‘s rational brainstorm has resulted in creating a clear awareness

regarding the power and potency of science, in stimulating the research fervour of the

inquisitive science researchers and also in cautioning the human lot against the imprudent

and excessive employment of science and scientific inventions as that would

inconsiderately delete the chance to exist.

Asimov‘s rational approaches to science and technology which are experimented

through the mode of fiction have resulted in the astounding revelations namely his robotic

laws, prophetic visions and visionary warnings. What is unique about Asimov and his

creations is that his analysis of science and its outcome are aimed at the uplift of

humanity. His genuine concern for humanity, profound passion for science, clear

comprehension of human psyche and his mastery over language have empowered him

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with a rare blend of scientific and lingual skills. He is as objective as a scientist in

delineating the aftermaths of scientific inventions and as considerate as a humanist in

making the common lot comprehends the vital power of science. Hence the rational

revelations of this scientific –humanist are inestimable assets that have been helping people universally to upgrade themselves.

While the chapter ―Laws of Robotics‖ depicts the ways and means to convert the

technologies trustworthy, the next chapter ―Prophetic Visions‖ brings to bright focus the

future advancement in the technologies. The fourth chapter ―Visionary Warning‖ reveals

the humanistic trait of Asimov as he has clearly demarcated when and where we should

not utilize the technologies. Asimov‘s zeal for the human beings did not satiate with his aspiration to amuse them with his mere fictional creations like the laws for the robotics,

or with his prophetic visions to introduce what would happen in the science field but has

attained self contentment only after projecting perfect visionary warnings. He envisaged

the future problems and also suggested the probable and practicable solution. Asimov had

absolute belief in the constructive purpose of science and preached the beneficial aspects

of the science till his last breath. This following quote is fit to explain his rational

contribution to the society.

All of us have to thank Isaac Asimov for where we stand as a nation in regard to

technological innovation. Our educational systems, hospitals, universities, and

homes, just to name a few aspects in life, have all improved in efficiency thanks to

the trend that Asimov promoted of being more readily accepting of machines to

help human endeavors. He was one of modern America‘s early teachers that

promoted technology, but above that he helped to open people‘s minds to more

possibilities than just the narrow minded conservative views that many people were

stuck on at that time. He was a special man who was able to rise above the

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common opinion and was not afraid to set himself apart in order to fight for what

he felt strongly about. Thanks to courageous people like Isaac Asimov who strive

to achieve their convictions no matter what the social cost, we are forever changed

as a society for the better. (Fox 13)

Asimov‘s works have lofty concepts and copious issues. The researchers can do

further various analytical or scientific studies on Asimov‘s short fiction. Asimov‘s works

can be compared and contrasted with his predecessors, contemporary writers and

successors. Future social demands in his short fiction can be explored. Asimov‘s stories

can be compared with today‘s space programmes. Machine ethics in Asimov‘s short

fiction can be evaluated. Asimov‘s lingual style and narrative technique can be analyzed

and a psycho analytical study of his characters both man and machine in his stories will

also be an appropriate subject for researchers.